22.04.2026 23:23
At the event titled 'Crisis, News, and Perception: Representation of the Iran Tension in World Media' held at Doğuş University, the reflections of the Iran-US tension in world media, perception management, propaganda language, and the responsibility of war journalism were discussed in various dimensions.
At the event titled "Crisis, News, and Perception: Representation of the Iran Tension in World Media" held at Doğuş University, the reflections of the Iran-US tension in world media, perception management, propaganda language, and the responsibility of war journalism were discussed from various dimensions.
The event, held at Doğuş University Dudullu Campus Red Area, featured speakers including Haberler.com Board Chairman Dr. Ekrem Teymur, Dr. Faculty Member Anıl Durmuşahmet from Doğuş University Vocational School Public Relations and Promotion Program, CNN Türk Weekend Main News Anchor Samet Güner, journalist Hasan Basri Akdemir, and A Haber anchor Gökhan Kurt.
At the event, the language of media during crisis periods, the way news is constructed, the influence of international broadcasting outlets on public opinion, and ethical responsibilities in war journalism were discussed.
"HEADLINES OF INTERNATIONAL NEWSPAPERS CAN CREATE A CLIMATE OF FEAR" Dr. Faculty Member Anıl Durmuşahmet from Doğuş University stated in his speech that the escalating Iran-US tension in 2026 should be evaluated not only as a geopolitical issue but also as a psychopolitical war conducted through screens. Starting his presentation with Charles Dickens' words reflecting today's "post-truth" world, Durmuşahmet pointed out that headlines from leading outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Le Monde can create a climate of fear and consent by appealing to the subconscious of society.
Emphasizing that the real front of the crisis is minds, Durmuşahmet expressed that Turkey is also at the center of this perception war. Also reminding of Stefan Zweig's warnings about the effect of propaganda on masses, Durmuşahmet said that if the hegemonic perception map established by the media is not questioned, societies can become not just spectators but direct victims of this process.
Journalist Hasan Basri Akdemir, in his speech, drew attention to the decisive power of words and concepts in perception management. Akdemir emphasized that the language used during crisis and war periods does not merely convey an event but also shapes the way societies think.
"WAR AFFECTS NOT ONLY THE POINT WHERE BOMBS FALL BUT ALSO PEOPLE'S LIVES" CNN Türk Weekend Main News Anchor Samet Güner also shared examples from his periods as a war correspondent, stating that war affects not only the point where the bomb falls but also people's lives, their living places, and family structures. Güner stated that therefore, in war news, one should not rely on a single source, and it is important to practice more careful and multifaceted journalism by obtaining information from all sources of the parties. Saying that international public opinion often evaluates events based on images and narratives from the field, Güner noted that visual storytelling and news language therefore have a direct impact on global perception.
A Haber anchor Gökhan Kurt said that the US lost the perception war because it did not enter the war with a justifiable reason that could convince the public. Stating that US President Donald Trump's contradictory statements increased target ambiguity, Kurt expressed that Iran's resilient stance on the field also changed the course of the war.
In the evaluations made at the event, it was emphasized that journalism during war and crisis periods is not just about conveying information but also carries the responsibility of revealing the truth in a multifaceted way. The speakers drew attention to the fact that media language, concept choice, and source diversity play a decisive role in how the public understands events, especially during conflict periods.